Getting a Missouri Driver's License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Missouri Class F driver's license is the standard adult license for non-commercial passenger vehicles. Issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue and processed at one of the state's 174 fee offices, the Class F is valid for 6 years and requires the applicant to complete a written knowledge test, a vision screening, a road sign exam, and a driving skills test.

Eligibility

Missouri's age path to a full license:

Age 15: Apply for an Instruction Permit.
Age 16: Apply for an Intermediate License after holding the permit at least 6 months and logging 40 supervised hours.
Age 18: Convert to a full Class F driver's license, or apply directly without going through the intermediate stage if no Missouri license has previously been held.

Adult applicants 18 and older who have not previously held a license must still pass the written test, vision and sign tests, and the driving exam. Missouri does not require the intermediate stage for adults.

Documents required

For a federally compliant REAL ID Missouri driver's license, bring to any fee office:

One identity document — U.S. birth certificate (with raised seal), valid U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.
Proof of your Social Security number — Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099.
Lawful status document if not a U.S. citizen — permanent resident card, employment authorization, or passport with I-94.
Two proofs of Missouri residency from two different sources, dated within the last 30 days — utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, voter registration, pay stub, or Missouri tax return.
A completed Form 5870 driver's license application, available at the fee office.

If you do not need REAL ID — only one residency document is required for the standard non-compliant license, but the card carries a "Federal Limits Apply" indicator and cannot be used as ID for boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings after the REAL ID enforcement deadline.

Fees

Missouri Class F license fees:

$25 for a 6-year non-commercial Class F license (REAL ID and standard cost the same).
$11 for a 3-year license (drivers ages 18-20 or 70+ choose this option).
$15 for a duplicate license to replace a lost or damaged card.
$5 for the written knowledge test (paid before each attempt).
The driving skills test fee is included in the license fee.

Fees are paid at the fee office; most offices accept cash, check, and card (some smaller rural offices may not accept cards — call ahead).

Knowledge test

The Missouri written knowledge test is a 25-question multiple-choice exam drawn from the current Missouri Driver Guide. You must score at least 20 out of 25 (80%) to pass. The test is given on a touchscreen at the fee office and is available in English and Spanish (some offices offer additional languages). Topics emphasized: 0.08% BAC under § 577.010, the 30-foot stopping distance for a stopped school bus, Missouri's "Move Over" law, and the right-of-way rules for emergency vehicles and funeral processions.

Vision and road sign tests

The vision test screens for 20/40 acuity in the better eye (with corrective lenses if used) and verifies peripheral vision of at least 55 degrees. The road sign test displays Missouri standard signs and asks the applicant to identify the meaning. Both tests are administered before the written knowledge exam, and corrective lenses must be worn for the photo if they are needed for driving.

Driving skills test

Missouri's driving skills test is a 15- to 20-minute on-road exam administered at most fee offices or at Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination stations. The test includes:

Pre-drive vehicle inspection (lights, horn, signals, brakes, tires).
Backing in a straight line for 50 feet.
Right and left turns from the correct lane to the correct lane.
Lane changes with mirror, signal, and shoulder check.
Stopping smoothly at controlled and uncontrolled intersections.
Parallel parking when offered (some examination stations use a simulated parking lane).

The applicant must provide a vehicle in safe operating condition with current registration and proof of Missouri insurance. Common reasons applicants fail: rolling stops, missed shoulder checks, and entering a turn from the wrong lane.

Once all tests are passed, the fee office issues a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. The permanent card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days from the DOR's central card production facility. New residents transferring an out-of-state license follow the same procedure but may be exempt from the driving skills test if their previous license is current and unexpired — see the Missouri DOR hub for the residency timeline.